Service Details

Fraternity and Sorority Defense

Fraternities and sororities have a long tradition of fostering civic responsibility and engaging in charitable activity, as well as forging lifelong ties among sorority sisters and fraternal brothers. Cultural stereotyping of, and backlash against, these entrenched establishments has, however, increased the likelihood that such groups will be targeted for plaintiff’s suits. Another factor is the ambiguity of California’s Penal Code, which provides a civil remedy for criminal hazing.

The Manning & Kass Fraternity and Sorority Defense Team strives to identify and satisfy the panoply of needs of every collegiate organization we represent. Our team is unmatched in its ability to recognize, early in the case, the legal and factual conflicts arising from fraternity and sorority claims, and how these competing interests impact the different levels of each organization. Our team’s experienced, efficient professionals handle files cost-effectively, without sacrificing favorable results.

The Fraternity and Sorority Defense Team prides itself in its unique ability to represent fraternities and sororities in all aspects of litigation, from pre-suit, to trial and appeal. Our team approach has proven particularly effective in;not only preparing for and trying cases, but also in meeting related judicial and technical challenges presented. The firm’s law and motion and appellate specialists ensure that we complete the discovery needed to take advantage of legal defenses often available to fraternities and sororities, either through dispositive motions, motions during trial, or appeal.

The Fraternity and Sorority Defense Team has successfully represented the local chapters and national organizations of fraternities and sororities, as well as their individual members. Cases have dealt with allegations of assault, hazing, and personal injury.

Eugene Egan is a partner with Manning & Kass and is the Fraternity and Sorority Defense Team's leader. He brings to his team 25 years of trial practice in both State and Federal courts, with numerous trial victories in a wide variety of cases. He has served as lead counsel in some of the first claims brought under California’s current hazing statute.